Review Offers Budget Options for Chignecto-Central

The Chignecto-Central Regional School Board has options to preserve library services, protect classroom sizes, reduce administration and maintain program priorities, a provincial review concludes.

The review of the board's budget by Doug Stewart, a senior Treasury Board advisor, was presented to the board today, April 25.

The review, announced by Education Minister Ramona Jennex two weeks ago, identifies $1.6 million in spending options, giving the province's second largest board alternatives to balance its books while maintaining services valued by the community.

"Parents expect their school boards to make decisions that put students first, to protect class sizes and important services like libraries," said Ms. Jennex.

In his report, Mr. Stewart noted the board undertook a "well thought out and technically sound" process, but he also observed that it made some choices that are inconsistent with its strategic goals, and out of balance with longtime priorities.

"Budgeting should be more about balance -- not an all-or-nothing approach to a valued services funded by the province," said Ms. Jennex. "The board recognizes reading as a priority. At the same time, it overlooked the contribution that libraries make to a child's reading development."

The board funds school libraries above the provincial average of $82 per student.

The review recommends the board:

• continue to offer library services at a reasonable level and in line with other boards
• maintain reasonable class sizes in line with the provincial average
• find additional reductions in administration
• follow the minister's instructions to find savings through attrition, which would protect more jobs
• take steps to reflect the reality of declining enrolment

The review acknowledges that adult high schools are outside the board's core mandate.

"I want to assure students and adult learners that the province is working with the board and other partners on appropriate programming for the people served by this program," said Ms Jennex. "We are actively pursuing options for these learners."